Amp output to 2 speakers

Almarg,

I bought my original PAV and Amp 2 about 20 years ago, and hadn't looked at a manual for the amps since. I now have three Amp 2s and an Amp 3, a PAV, and a PAV/PDSD. Rereading an amp manual informs me that you are correct. The two pair of binding posts for each channel are to facilitate biwiring.

You wrote: "Connecting speakers in series is probably a reasonable thing to do in situations where the two speakers are identical, although I would expect the existing parallel connection to be preferable provided that the amp can handle it." Why is a parallel connection preferable? I ask because I can change the connection to serial. The Amp 3 is only mildly warm to the touch even after hours of use -- you can leave your hand flat on the top of the unit comfortably.

I appreciate your advice, and especially want to know if it's OK to continue using a parallel connection or if I am unduly stressing the amp.

db

Thanks, Al. I think I'll stick with the parallel connection. I've been using that now for at least a couple of years without getting the amp very warm. The sound of the center channel is excellent for voices (DirecTV and movies) and 5.1 music SACDs and operas on Blu-ray. The little KEF 102s are excellent speakers and their tweeters match well those of the 107/2s.

That raises the question of how to connect the 2 channel unbalanced 102 KUBE (active equalizer) -- the 107/2s areusing a 107/2 KUBE. I could split the long balanced cable from the Cary Cinema 11a to two Jensen ISO MAX transformers, go through both channels of the KUBE, then convert to a single input to the amp. Or I could take the balanced cable to a single ISO MAX, split its output to go through the 2 channel KUBE, then recombine for the single input to the amp. Any suggestions?

db

Thanks, Al. I'll buy another ISO MAX PI XR to convert XLR to RCA, take the RCA through the 102 KUBE followed by a short RCA-XLR cable to the amp. I'll also change out the RCA cables between the 107/2 KUBE and the amps for RCA-XLR cables, according to your post at the earlier thread.

PS: I emailed my audiophile friends about the problem, and included your suggestions. The most knowledgable of them wrote back that your advice has always been good.

db

The system can generate such a strong centered image in stereo I've found myself putting ear to center channel to confirm I'm listening to stereo. So I decided to try 4.1 rather than 5.1 by setting the menus of the Oppo 95 and Cary Cinema 11a to turn off the center channel. (The Oppo output is analog but the DirecTV HD-DVR is HDMI.) 4.1 seems entirely satisfactory, so I suppose the issue of two speakers with one amp could go away. For the time being, I'll leave the dormant center channel in place. I assume without a signal, the 2 ohm load is moot. Is that true?

db